A New Classification for Malagasy Baobabs
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified a distinct baobab species on the island of Madagascar. This tree, known as Adansonia bozy, was previously grouped with Adansonia za due to physical similarities. The findings, published in the journal Taxon on July 12, 2026, rely on rigorous genetic analysis to redefine the taxonomy of these iconic plants. This shift suggests that the botanical diversity of the island is greater than experts previously assumed.
Baobabs are native to Africa, Australia, and Madagascar. Before this discovery, scientists recognized eight species worldwide. The island of Madagascar accounted for six of these. By separating A. bozy from A. za, the team has pushed the total count of species higher. This correction changes how botanists understand the evolutionary history of the genus on the island.
The Technical Challenges of Field Identification
Identifying baobabs in the wild is difficult because they often share similar leaf shapes. Nisa Karimi, the lead author of the study, traveled to remote parts of Madagascar to gather samples. Because the trees are so tall, the researchers had to locate specific flowers to confirm the species identity. These flowers often bloom only at night and can hang more than 100 feet above the ground.
Karimi used specialized climbing equipment to reach the canopy. The window for this fieldwork is brief, as each species blooms for roughly one month. This task required significant training. Karimi practiced the climbing techniques with coauthor David Baum on trees in his Wisconsin backyard before the expedition began. The height and the timing of the bloom created narrow parameters for success.
Genetic Obstacles and Breakthroughs
Once the samples arrived in Wisconsin, the team encountered a chemical hurdle. The leaves of the baobab contain high levels of polysaccharides. These sugars created a slimy substance during the extraction process, which caused the DNA to fragment. Standard protocols failed to produce the high-quality sequences needed for a full analysis.
Karimi spent considerable time refining her methods to bypass these issues. She eventually succeeded in extracting usable material for phylogenetic study. The team then used targeted sequence capture to analyze hundreds of gene regions. The results proved that A. bozy is more closely related to other northern Malagasy baobabs than to the species it was previously grouped with. This genetic evidence settled the classification debate.
Conservation and Future Research
This reclassification has real-world consequences for the survival of the trees. Conservation funding in Madagascar is often distributed based on the status of individual species. Since A. bozy is now recognized as rare and endangered, it may qualify for new protection measures. The update also forces a reassessment of A. za, which now has a smaller confirmed distribution area.
David Baum, who has spent four decades studying these trees, suggests that other hidden species may still exist in remote zones. The team suspects that another common baobab, A. rubrostipa, might also require a split into multiple species. Protecting biodiversity requires an accurate catalog of what exists. Without correct naming, conservationists cannot effectively target their work to save threatened plant populations.